Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) deficiency under treatment: psychological and sexual functioning impacts.

OBJECTIVE: GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) is a crucial hormone for sexual development, puberty, and fertility, and its deficiency leads to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH), which causes abnormal secondary sexual development and infertility. The combination of the lack of sense of smell, i.e., anosmia, and HH is a type of GnRH deficiency known as Kallmann syndrome, which affects both men and women. The impact of Kallmann syndrome can be very severe and causes a variety of psychological problems in patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate psychopathology, sexuality, and personality characteristics in patients with GnRH deficiency under hormonal replacement therapy. DESIGN: A total of 38 patients with GnRH deficiency aged 30.6 ± 10.44 years and 38 healthy matched for age individuals participated in the study and completed a series of questionnaires concerning sexual functioning, ego defense mechanisms, quality of life, personality characteristics, as well as anxiety and depression. RESULTS: After adjustment for anxiety and depression, no difference in sexuality parameters were reported between men with and without GnRH deficiency, while women with GnRH deficiency had significantly lower sexual desire compared to controls. Concerning quality of life, satisfaction with general health was significantly lower in patients compared to controls, even after adjusting for sex. Furthermore, patients with GnRH deficiency indicated markedly less anxiety and a trend for less depression compared to controls. Finally, defense styles, ego-strength, and hostility did not differ between GnRH deficiency patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to investigate psychological and sexual functioning impacts in patients with GnRH deficiency under hormonal replacement therapy. However, larger studies are needed so as to add further empirical evidence.

Male and Female Hypogonadism.

Hypogonadism is a clinical syndrome that results in hormone deficiency in men and women. Primary hypogonadism is caused by gonadal (testicular or ovarian) failure. Secondary hypogonadism is the result of a dysfunction within the hypothalamus and/or pituitary. Diagnosis of hypogonadism requires a comprehensive health history, evaluation of the signs and symptoms, complete physical examination, as well as laboratory and diagnostic testing for both sexes. Hormone replacement is the hallmark of hypogonadism treatment. Restoring and/or maintaining quality of life is a major consideration in the management of patients with hypogonadism.

Flavor perception test: evaluation in patients with Kallmann syndrome.

In Kallmann syndrome (KS), congenital hypogonadism is associated with olfactory impairment. To evaluate flavor perception-related disability in KS patients, 30 patients with KS, 12 with normosmic hypogonadism (nIHH), 24 with acquired anosmia (AA), and 58 healthy controls entered the study. All participants completed questionnaires concerning dietary habits, olfaction-related quality of life (QoL), and self-determined olfactory, flavor, and taste abilities prior to undergoing standardized olfactometry and gustometry. Each subject underwent flavor testing, using orally administered aqueous aromatic solutions, identifying 21 different compounds by choosing each out of 5 alternative items. Flavor score (FS) was calculated as the sum of correct answers (range 0-21). Flavor perception by self-assessment was similar between KS, nIHH, and controls, and was mostly reduced only in AA. FS was similar between KS (5.4 ± 1.4) and AA (6.4 ± 1.9), and lower than in nIHH (16.2 ± 2.4, p < 0.001) and controls (16.8 ± 1.7, p < 0.0001). FS showed strong reproducibility, and correlated with olfactory scores in the overall population. KS and AA patients identified aromatics eliciting trigeminal stimulation better than pure odorants. Olfaction-related QoL was more impaired in AA than in KS. We report significant flavor impairment in KS. This contrasts with routine clinic evidence; KS patients, in contrast with AA, do not complain of flavor perception impairment, perhaps owing to the congenital nature of the dysfunction. Flavor perception impairment should be considered a specific KS disability, because of important detrimental effects on physical and mental health and on QoL. KS patients should also be advised of this impairment in order to prevent accidental and life-threatening events.

[Kallmann syndrome. Fundamentals and two medical histories]. / Kallmann-Syndrom. Pathophysiologische Grundlagen und Darstellung zweier Patientengeschichten.

Kallmann syndrome is defined as a combination of isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH), hyposmia or anosmia and several optional neurological or anatomical particularities. The genetically caused illness affects mechanisms of neuronal migration, first of all concerning GnRH-producing neurons and those of the olfactory bulb.The first, nowadays rather seldom case, serves as an example of a patient suffering from grave, especially somatic symptoms of the disease. IHH, anosmia, eunuchoidism (physique, puerile voice, gynecomastia, micropenis, missing secondary sex characteristics) and distinct osteoporosis were verified.With the case of the second patient, late psychosexual sequelae of the syndrome are elucidated. The patient had been treated with testosterone after contracting mumps orchitis in early childhood. The physical development of the second patient progressed well since initiation of hormone substitution; however, infertility was still present. Now he complains of symptoms of depression caused by the separation from his female partner. Intermittent disorders of sexual functions and difficulties in establishing a male sexual identity lowered his self-esteem. Diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities and limits are particularized and items of future concern are emphasized.

The psychosocial impact of Klinefelter syndrome--a 10 year review.

OBJECTIVE: To describe psychosocial morbidity in a cohort of young males with hypogonadism due to Klinefelter syndrome, to document the effect of androgen replacement on behaviour, to underline issues confronting clinicians involved in treatment of this condition and to demonstrate a need for a structured program for prospective intervention for this group. We also compare this group to young men with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. DESIGN: A retrospective audit of patients with Klinefelter and Kallmann syndromes, presenting for medical assessment from 1994-2004. PATIENTS: Postpubertal males with Klinefelter syndrome (n = 32) and Kallmann syndrome (n = 19) were audited by chart review for psychosocial comorbidities, pubertal management, and the need for exogenous testosterone. RESULTS: Seventeen of 32 postpubertal patients with Klinefelter syndrome required testosterone therapy while 11 were documented to have serum testosterone in the normal adult range. All patients with Kallmann syndrome required long term testosterone treatment. Significant psychosocial and behavioural problems were present in 22/32 of patients with Klinefelter syndrome, including seven who were testosterone replete, with an identifiable pattern of disorder, including marked lack of insight, poor judgement and impaired ability to learn from adverse experience. Use of long term replacement testosterone treatment reduced episodes of behavioural indiscretion. Of those patients with Kallmann syndrome, 5/19 reported mild depressive symptoms only, all resolving with testosterone replacement. CONCLUSION: Inadequately treated hypogonadism in Klinefelter syndrome increases recognized psychosocial morbidity. There is a need for prospectively planned and timed support for young men with Klinefelter syndrome, to ameliorate current poor psychosocial outcomes.

[Kallmann's syndrome in families]. / Rodzinne wystepowanie zespolu Kallmanna.

UNLABELLED: The authors present the incidence of Kallmann's syndrome in two families in four persons. In one family the syndrome was present in a boy and the brother of his mother. In the second family in siblings -- a boy and a girl. The two boys at preschool age underwent a surgery because of bilateral cryptorchism. In the first patient and his uncle additional hearing dysfunction and agenesis of the left kidney were diagnosed. In all the patients anosmia was diagnosed. All the patients receive a pharmacological treatment which improved significantly their clinical state, caused the development of tertiary sexual feature and an improvement of the psychological condition. CONCLUSIONS: 1. In patients with an abnormal development of the urethro-sexual organs a diagnosis for other disturbances or developmental defects is necessary. 2. In patients with an abnormal urethro-sexual development a permanent care of a psychologist is necessary.

Kallmann's syndrome: skeletal and psychological aspects of late diagnosis.

We report a case of Kallmann's syndrome (KS) in a previously untreated 30-year-old Caucasian male, admitted to our Endocrinology Department, presenting with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and hypoosmia, and reporting a history of rickets in early childhood and a rapid growth pattern. On admission, his main complaints were back-pain and a decreased tolerance to physical exercise. The patient gave no family history of hypogonadism or hypoosmia, and his case was assumed to be sporadic KS. On physical examination hypogonadism (micropenis, small testes, no puberty), hypoosmia and severe scoliosis, kyphosis and chest malformations were recorded. No facial hair growth was found nor past voice braking. His skeletal proportions were eunuchoidal, no mid-line defects were found. This case of KS was identified unusually late. Due to patient's anxiety that his physical appearance might change due to therapy, he was referred to a clinical psychologist who confirmed the patient's self-perception as a male. The risk of further bone malformations, progression of osteoporosis and consecutive pathological fractures were the main indications for commencing treatment. Psychological support was provided. Six months of treatment with low doses of hCG (500 IU given i.m. twice a week) had elevated his testosterone levels but they still remained below the lower values of the normal reference range for males. Additional treatment with vitamin D and calcium supplementation was continued. A certain improvement of bone density score was observed. The patient noted a marked pain relief and he willingly complied with the treatment. After six months of therapy hCG dose was increased to 2000 IU given twice a week. We conclude that even at such a late diagnosis of Kallmann's syndrome in a male who accepts his physical appearance and does not wish any treatment in this respect, hormonal therapy is necessary and should be introduced to reduce significant risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, and also to offset slowly progressing skeletal malformations which result from the lack of epiphyseal fusion.

Kallmann's syndrome and transsexualism.

Until the present, in the world literature only one patient with Kallmann's syndrome has been reported who became transsexual. This patient was seen almost 50 years ago. In this report, a second case is presented to encourage studies of the sexual and gender identity development in these patients. This patient's rare endocrine disorder and secondary emotional problems have led to negative consequences because appropriate treatment of her transsexualism became impossible.

Kallmann syndrome in a boy with a t(1;10) translocation detected by reverse chromosome painting.

Prometaphase chromosomes from a 16 year old boy with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and anosmia (Kallmann syndrome) showed a tiny chromosome fragment attached to the long arm of one chromosome 1 without a visible reciprocal translocation chromosome. Chromosome painting with libraries from chromosomes 1 and X excluded a t(X;1) translocation, but failed to detect a second translocation chromosome. Through reverse chromosome painting, an unbalanced der(1), t(1;10) (q44;q26) translocation could be detected. This is the third case of Kallmann syndrome with a de novo rearrangement between two autosomes. The distal long arm of chromosome 1 may contain a candidate locus for a gene, mutations of which may cause the Kallmann phenotype; a 10q location seems less likely.

Genes and behavior as studied through gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons: comparative and functional aspects.

1. GnRH neurons migrate from olfactory placode into the developing basal forebrain in a manner which appears remarkably constant across all vertebrates studied, from fish to human beings. 2. Interruption of this migration can result in Kallmann's Syndrome. Absence of libido by individuals suffering from Kallmann's has allowed us to chart a causal route from a specific gene to a human social behavior.

Kallmann's syndrome and anorexia nervosa: a diagnostic dilemma.

Kallmann's syndrome is a rare cause of primary amenorrhea, with impairment of release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and anosmia. We present a case in which Kallmann's syndrome had been diagnosed, but who also fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa. We discuss the diagnostic dilemma.

The Kallmann's syndrome variant (KSV) model of the schizophrenias.

The KSV model of the schizophrenias proposes that up to 70% of schizophrenics have a pathogenic allele, or abnormal expression, of the KALIG-1 gene which is located at Xp22.3. This gene encodes a nerve-cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) like protein, and is deleted in 66% of patients with Kallmann's syndrome, anosmia with secondary hypogonadism. Although superficially distinct, the schizophrenias and Kallmann's syndrome show numerous parallel trait defects which occur with a similar sex distribution. These defects are usually more profound in Kallmann's syndrome. Occasionally, Kallmann's patients exhibit additional defects, such as ichthyosis, which are due to the further deletion or translocation of adjacent genes. Since schizophrenics exhibit virtually all known trait defects in Kallmann's except these, it suggests that the aberrant genes are defective, but not deleted in schizophrenia. It also appears that compensatory mechanisms, involving serine proteases, are active in schizophrenia, which largely preserve fertility, but at the expense of an increased vulnerability to develop a psychosis by an episodic disruption of the blood-CSF barrier. Consequently, schizophrenia is rare in Kallmann's patients, while most schizophrenics are capable of reproduction.